I have a mixed duckling that ever since it hatched it's had it's head tilted and it will spin around in circles repeatedly. It eats and drinks with no problem and will occasionally hold it's head straight. Any ideas? I feel so bad for him!!! Should I put him down or do you think he'll grow out of it?
Sounds like it could be Torticollis or Wryneck. When you say he sometimes holds his head straight do you mean straight out in front of him or straight as in properly in the right position? I'm not an expert but I know others on the forum have dealt with this problem. I volunteer at a wildlife rescue charity and there are a couple of pigeons with Torticollis. They seem in good health apart from the twisted neck and walking backwards/in circles, so I would not cull at this stage! The bird may be able to live a happy life but may just need a little special attention.
I'm thinking wry neck too. I had a rabbit with it last winter. I got the rabbit when it was older from a friend so it was a sudden thing, but this poor duckling was born this way. Sometimes he holds his head properly, but I don't think I've seen him walk straight. Like I said, he eats, drinks and acts normal except for the twisted head/spinning. Tonight I put him in a bigger brooder and he really spun like crazy! Now I just need ideas on how to treat him. I don't want to cull him if at all possible!
Get some multivitamins for the little one, the symptoms you describe can also be caused by thiamine deficiency- but giving it a full range of vitamins will help give it an overall boost which it sounds like he can really benefit from. The pack will have a dosage rate on it- but giving a bit extra to begin with will help get the levels back to where they should be. The little one may be slow to respond until the levels of vitamins it may be deficient in come back to more normal levels, but could end up living a completely normal life, with no spinning.
I have a wry necked duck. It was very severe when she hatched. Now she is four weeks old. Her head is still cocked sideways a bit, but she eats, drinks, swims and preens just fine. The extra nutrition isn't necessarily a cure, but it will help in most cases and give your duck a chance at a normal life.
PM Amiga she seems to know alot about duck issues. Hope he feels better. You should name 'em DIZZY !!!
